UTAG rejects GAUA claims of discrimination over Market Premium disparities in public universities

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has dismissed allegations from the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) that differing Market Premiums between teaching and non-teaching Senior Members constitute discrimination. UTAG maintains that remuneration differences are not inherently discriminatory and must account for factors like qualifications, responsibilities, labor-market conditions, and the need to attract skilled professionals.

GAUA initiated a strike over these perceived disparities, which UTAG refutes as a simplistic interpretation of a complex issue. The statement from UTAG clarifies that the "Senior Member" designation is an administrative role, not a reflection of job complexity. UTAG emphasizes that fairness does not equate to sameness, advocating for criteria such as work complexity, required qualifications, external labor market competitiveness, and the strategic value of specific expertise when determining pay.

The association cautions against using historical uniformity as a basis for opposing all future differentiation in remuneration. UTAG urges stakeholders including the government, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and the Ministry of Education to conduct an independent review of the remuneration structure, considering job evaluation criteria and total compensation across different occupational groups.

The union urges both parties to engage in a sober, evidence-based discussion, emphasizing that the focus should be on justifying remuneration through objective criteria, not on who is considered more important in the university setting.